TN Editorial: The right sheriff is in place

Published: Friday, April 23, 2010 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 6:38 p.m.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office needs incumbent Rick Davis to help it continue a number of successful initiatives he has put in motion -- 287(g), drug and gang task forces among them. Davis has kept his campaign promises from four years ago and seen results. He should be returned to office to continue these accomplishments and initiate his ideas for the future.

If there was a need for change, sheriff candidate Don Fisher would be an excellent choice. He has a proven track record and great ideas about how to improve policing and safety. But things are working at the Sheriff's Office, and working well, with the right man in place to carry the momentum forward.

Davis is seeking a second term and has 20 years of law enforcement experience. Fisher has served as chief of the Laurel Park Police Department for 16 years and has been in law enforcement for nearly three decades.

Both candidates support 287(g). Although controversial, the program has proven to work in Henderson County. Deportation proceedings began for more than 300 people last year after they were arrested for serious crimes.

Davis wants to expand the program. The county currently uses the jail enforcement method, and Davis wants to add the task force method. He's right for wanting to continue the success and use all of the tools available to him. Fisher puts emphasis on gaining support from the Latino community, which is another good goal. Much of the "terror" of 287(g) comes from misinformation, and reaching out to residents would help ease that fear.

Davis was instrumental in creating a gang task force. This has reduced graffiti, and officers made 37 gang-related arrests in the first months of the task force. It's one example of an initiative Davis started that he should see through.

Davis also stood out with his idea to create a task force to combat Internet crimes against children. It's more needed than ever, as children begin using computers almost daily at a young age. Predators are taking advantage of the technology, and it would be an asset to have trained local officers on their tail.

We do like Fisher's position on animal control. Davis seems hesitant about how much can be done to take the county's animal control ordinance further, while Fisher has no doubts it needs to be strengthened. "If you are taking on the responsibility of an animal, you should be able to take care of it. You should be able to take it to the doctor. It should have a nice place to stay. They should be brought in and out of the elements and able to go out and exercise from time to time and not be chained up somewhere," Fisher said.

Davis sees the legal challenges and the consequences. We, too, see the obstacles, but still think steps should be taken to strengthen the ordinance. Anti-chaining laws, for example, have been successfully passed in communities across the state, and our county has come out strong in support of animal rights in the past. Davis moved the county forward when his department took over animal control during his first term. We hope he will continue to move forward if chosen for a second term.

Voters have two quality candidates to choose from. But in this race, it's momentum and vision that nudge Davis a little further ahead.

<p>The Henderson County Sheriff's Office needs incumbent Rick Davis to help it continue a number of successful initiatives he has put in motion -- 287(g), drug and gang task forces among them. Davis has kept his campaign promises from four years ago and seen results. He should be returned to office to continue these accomplishments and initiate his ideas for the future.</p><p>If there was a need for change, sheriff candidate Don Fisher would be an excellent choice. He has a proven track record and great ideas about how to improve policing and safety. But things are working at the Sheriff's Office, and working well, with the right man in place to carry the momentum forward.</p><p>Davis is seeking a second term and has 20 years of law enforcement experience. Fisher has served as chief of the Laurel Park Police Department for 16 years and has been in law enforcement for nearly three decades.</p><p>Both candidates support 287(g). Although controversial, the program has proven to work in Henderson County. Deportation proceedings began for more than 300 people last year after they were arrested for serious crimes.</p><p>Davis wants to expand the program. The county currently uses the jail enforcement method, and Davis wants to add the task force method. He's right for wanting to continue the success and use all of the tools available to him. Fisher puts emphasis on gaining support from the Latino community, which is another good goal. Much of the "terror" of 287(g) comes from misinformation, and reaching out to residents would help ease that fear.</p><p>Davis was instrumental in creating a gang task force. This has reduced graffiti, and officers made 37 gang-related arrests in the first months of the task force. It's one example of an initiative Davis started that he should see through.</p><p>Davis also stood out with his idea to create a task force to combat Internet crimes against children. It's more needed than ever, as children begin using computers almost daily at a young age. Predators are taking advantage of the technology, and it would be an asset to have trained local officers on their tail.</p><p>We do like Fisher's position on animal control. Davis seems hesitant about how much can be done to take the county's animal control ordinance further, while Fisher has no doubts it needs to be strengthened. "If you are taking on the responsibility of an animal, you should be able to take care of it. You should be able to take it to the doctor. It should have a nice place to stay. They should be brought in and out of the elements and able to go out and exercise from time to time and not be chained up somewhere," Fisher said.</p><p>Davis sees the legal challenges and the consequences. We, too, see the obstacles, but still think steps should be taken to strengthen the ordinance. Anti-chaining laws, for example, have been successfully passed in communities across the state, and our county has come out strong in support of animal rights in the past. Davis moved the county forward when his department took over animal control during his first term. We hope he will continue to move forward if chosen for a second term.</p><p>Voters have two quality candidates to choose from. But in this race, it's momentum and vision that nudge Davis a little further ahead.</p>